CHAPTER 06
Despite Marid the priest’s desperate efforts to keep the others quiet, thanks to the ever-chatty Priest Sorel, Erishi had learned quite a bit about the man who would supposedly kidnap her as her husband.
Rumors said he was a devil’s child, a womanizer who had made countless noble ladies cry in the Grand Duchy, and even had a scandalous relationship with Grand Duke Lachaize.
“This isn’t the time. Even if they went far, the knights will return quickly because Philrod Aachen is still in the monastery. You must complete the consummation as soon as possible.”
Maybe it was thanks to Madam Laura, but Erishi wasn’t entirely naive.
Even though the man was someone brought by Prior Wilbert, she was still cautious, assuming he could very well be a terrible person.
After all, even in the village below, everyone knew the cheerful-looking blacksmith Bert abused his wife.
So she’d thought: maybe the moment he kidnaps me, he’ll try to lift my skirt…
Yet, his expression had turned pale at Marid’s words.
Ah… Maybe it’s because it’s broad daylight?
‘It is really bright… Madam Laura always said such things are usually done at night.’
As Erishi stared blankly at the men, her thoughts straying, the man named Harris spoke up.
“Priest, I mean… talking about that in front of everyone is a bit…”
“Ah, y-yes! Of course.”
Marid’s face turned red with embarrassment. Likely because the knights from Philrod Aachen made him panic.
‘Oh, I see…’
Erishi was about to say, “I’m fine, really,” when—
“You said we don’t have time. Let’s just proceed like this.”
“Eh?”
Before anyone could stop him, the man—Lahan—frowned, pulled out a dagger, and slashed his left palm open on the bed.
Erishi’s eyes widened. The cut quickly turned red, and drops of blood began to fall.
“Oh my goodness!”
Marid priest jumped up. Lahan spoke calmly.
“I’m not going to fuss over this. It doesn’t even hurt that much—”
“That’s not it! Sir Norwich!”
With a distraught face, Marid rushed to the bed and examined the sheets.
Blood had already soaked into the bedding. Holding his forehead, he snapped at Lahan Norwich in exasperation.
“Do you take people for fools? You claim you’ve slept with women, and yet… sheesh.”
Though the bride was taken on the wedding day, no one had expected a lunatic to climb up a cliff. The Aachen family had prepared.
The emperor had sent royal maids to verify the consummation between Philrod and Erishi.
Usually, it was enough for the couple to share a room overnight, but in this case, the consummation of a marriage-by-abduction needed proof—more harsh and physical.
Erishi would likely undergo not just an inspection of the beddings but a full physical examination by the royal maids.
Marid scolded furiously.
“That kind of blood doesn’t leave stains like this!”
“…I see.”
Lahan looked at his hand a few times, then calmly gazed at the priest.
“You seem to know a lot about women, Priest.”
That sarcastic tone made Marid’s face turn bright red again—especially since he’d reluctantly become Madam Laura’s second apprentice thanks to Erishi.
Erishi decided she had to step in.
“Wait.”
She grabbed Lahan’s arm. He raised an eyebrow. She took a breath and asked,
“Can we talk privately?”
“Erishi?”
Only then did Marid turn to her. He began fumbling excuses.
“This is… you know! Madam Laura told me to—!”
Apparently, he’d just realized he’d said far too much in front of the young lady he practically raised.
Erishi gave him a sweet smile and reassured him.
“Please wait, Marid. I’ve only just learned this man’s name. And he deserves to hear the full story too…”
“I already know the situation.”
Lahan responded curtly, folding his arms. Then added:
“But I do agree we need a moment away from all this fuss.”
As Grand Duke Lachaize’s right-hand man, he regained composure quickly, now speaking with relaxed authority.
After a short hesitation, Marid mumbled, “Well, then…” and slipped out. So did his aide, Harris.
“Keep it short,” Harris reminded as he shut the door.
Click.
Now they were alone. Erishi smiled bashfully.
“Sorry you were startled by Marid.”
“It’s fine. I wasn’t entirely unprepared.”
The man looked down at her, then added,
“…Though hearing a priest talk about consummation was a bit jarring.”
“That’s Madam Laura’s influence,” Erishi laughed, explaining cheerfully.
“I grew up in the monastery, you see. So Madam Laura from the village taught me about things like that. Marid learned with me too.”
“…”
“Eventually, I was the only one attending the lessons.”
As she spoke, Erishi studied the man. His black hair was disheveled with sweat, just like hers, but it added to his wild charm.
And those red eyes—
Some said that’s why they called him a devil’s child, but to Erishi, while a little scary, they were beautiful.
She’d imagined a burly, bearded man when she heard he was 22, but…
Maybe because he wasn’t married? His chin was smooth and clean-shaven.
The village blacksmith Robby always claimed beards were a man’s charm, but she doubted that now.
Looking at this man, Erishi felt even Robby would admit defeat.
‘Yes… This will be fine.’
Firm in her resolve again, she hesitated briefly, then began:
“The Aachen family sent people.”
“I saw them earlier.”
“They’re here to verify the consummation.”
Lahan’s lips twisted slightly.
“What…?”
“They’re the Empress’s maids.”
Erishi spoke quickly but carefully.
“I don’t know much, but apparently the Aachen family asked the Emperor to send royal maids to verify my marriage with Philrod Aachen. So if I’m now married to you instead… they’ll expect proof of our consummation too.”
Lahan’s face turned to dismay. He clearly hadn’t imagined such a scenario.
Erishi understood—she herself never expected her “first night” to be such a public concern.
“They’re not just checking the bedding. They’ll examine me too…”
She’d prepared herself, and she thought she was okay with it.
But saying it aloud made her blush uncontrollably.
She’d only just learned what really happens between a man and a woman!
Still, embarrassment wasn’t a good enough reason to stay silent. Erishi clenched her fist and continued.
“That’s why Marid is so frantic. Madam Laura said the blood should flutter like flower petals. She said some women don’t bleed, but…”
Her gaze dropped to the sheets. Lahan followed her line of sight.
There, the bloodstain—larger than Lahan’s hand—clearly marked the fabric.
Its meaning was unmistakable.
Lahan sighed, lightly clenching his hand.
“I think I understand now.”
The bleeding had stopped, but even the slightest movement might restart it.
Erishi tried to smile naturally, but her reddened cheeks betrayed her.
“So, um…”
She stepped closer. Lahan visibly flinched.
Then, Erishi closed her eyes tight and began loosening the ties of her wedding gown.
“Please, take me—”
Meanwhile, the entire Windrock Monastery was in an uproar.
“What the hell is this nonsense!!!”
Philrod Aachen, absolutely furious, was yelling at the top of his lungs.
